Enlighten Up! the movie

Is Yoga the way to enlightenment?

When experienced documentary filmmaker Kate Churchill set out on her latest project, Enlighten Up!, she was determined to prove that yoga can transform anyone. Fortunately for her audience, the result was a lot more realistic and less definitive than any kind of film objective can be. Yoga, as it is portrayed, turns out to be something a lot more complex and multifaceted than many yoga enthusiasts may have at first thought.

Churchill’s film rapidly unveils that yoga is a million dollar industry and she is quick to reveal some of the main contrasts between Western society and yoga practice there. A preliminary tour of yoga studios through Boston reveals that many of the yogis and teachers do not even know how old the practice is or why it started. But they are firm believers in yoga’s transformational power and they know it feels good. Still the duo encounters other yogis who say that they see yoga as nothing more than a workout.

The film nicely highlights the visual and spiritual contrast between the East and West, as it takes the pair from overcast Boston, to busy New York, then relaxed Hawaii, and finally to colourful India. Viewers can witness a collective spiritual awareness versus an intense individualism on the other hand.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKQw0-IlJiY&hl=en&fs=1&]

Q&A with director Kate Churchill

ACU: Can you explain more about why you wanted to know whether yoga could lead a person to spiritual transformation?

Kate Churchill (KC): Well, in the beginning I would have used the word enlightenment, which could mean spiritual transformation, but what I was intrigued with was more what happens when a person focuses on yoga. I wanted to know what changes? How could one become more aware? What changes could occur by solely focusing on yoga?

ACU: Had you considered going to India for your own spiritual discovery or was it more justifiable while you were making this film?

KC: It was my first trip to India. I’ve working in a lot of different places. …South America. Brazil, Nepal, Alaska , Iceland – while producing and directing For PBS and National Geographic.

So, I had a lot of curiosity about it and when u decide to make a film it behooves you to have curiosity on your subject on all different levels. The film took five years and eventually you may get sick of it. Some of the most peaceful moments of my life happened through intense practice of yoga. I thought ‘Wow – six months and go anywhere in the world and meet teachers,’ and I was really intrigued by the idea.

ACU: It struck me that you and Nick had some things in common – both seeking information (he as a journalist and you as a filmmaker). At what point if ever were you aware of the similar challenges or view points you both shared?

KC: From the outset I was aware of our similarities. If anything our dissimilarities emerged through the journey. Our conflicts were unexpected. I never intended to include that in the film. One reason I picked him was because he was seeking information as a journalist and he was curious about yoga and change. Even though skeptical he still had a level of curiosity that I found quite hopeful.

ACU: What was the most challenging thing about making this film?

KC: It was the editing which took 3 years.

ACU: There were a few pieces in the film where you mentioned getting tired of yoga. Can you explain what you felt more?

KC: We wanted to shift the focus from Nick to include me as a character in the film. There were three characters: yoga, Nick and me.

Going into the filmmaking process my expectations were so high and that put pressure on Nick. That got him to dig in his heels and to resist. We ended up in a different place. We lost sight of what we were doing. All day long we met amazing yoga teachers and then we would go and interview about it, and I would ask him “How is it going to change you?”

The tension got to be so much and then we just both let go of everything. The point where I say I am tired of yoga – would normally never be included. But, part of it was to show was that we were on the wrong journey. It’s a turning point in the film when we both let go of the other person and the tone of the film shifts and we are two people each on our own journey. That is what ultimately leads both of us to learn a lot.

Enlighten Up! Opens on Friday August 28th at Cumberland Cinemas in Toronto.